Broker Forum Hot Topics - www.insuranceage.com

The Insurance Age Broker Forum posters have been busy this month on the online discussion board, covering a wide range of subjects - some more juicy than others. Discussions have highlighted topics such as Direct Line's recent assault on small commercial business and the Financial Services Authority's (FSA) second bite at commission disclosure, and advice on changing software systems and Eliot Spitzer's ignominious downfall.

Direct Line took a bit of a pasting for its move into commercial insurance but many posters grudgingly conceded that the rates on offer for small businesses would be attractive. Many feared that small commercial business would follow the same path as personal lines following Direct Line's launch more than 20 years ago. However, one poster felt bullish enough to challenge Direct Line to "bring it on".

More pressure for commercial operators followed, with the news that the FSA had published a wide-ranging discussion paper on commission disclosure and conflicts of interest. One of the regular regulation experts weighed into the discussions, highlighting potential problem areas, while the whole episode was news to another, who had assumed that the debate had been put to bed - for a while at least.

However, it was not all bad news. Plenty of advice on how and when to switch software provider was flying about, after one of the newest forum members indicated that they were considering switching. No real consensus was reached over which provider was the best, but the first-hand testimonials gave food for thought.

Finally, Mr Spitzer, the well-known anti-corruption campaigner, came under a barrage of insults from posters. They drew particular pleasure from the fact that the man who had done more than any other to uncover the dark dealings within insurance had found his own illicit behaviour exposed. One poster felt that Mr Spitzer had been set up, but that was probably no more than the sound of one man's idealism being cruelly shattered.

- To contribute to the online debates, simply visit Insurance Age's website at www.insuranceage.com and become a member of the Broker Forum.